Grid printer



Oct- 2, 1956 J. F. BRlNsTER ETAL 2,765,211

GRID PRINTER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed DBG. 9, 1953 NWN hmm

No mmm f da paga/ GRID PRINTER Filed Dec. 9, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 uNcoRREcTED VALUES AMPLITUDE CORRECTED VALUES W. fi-2% KW en onli) PRINTER John F. Brinster and Erwin Donath, Princeton, N. It., assignors to Applied Science Corporation of Princeton, Princeton, N. J., a corporation of New .iersey Application December 9, i953, Serial No. 397,222

6 Claims. (Cl. 346-107) This application is a continuation-in-part of our copending application for Plotterj Serial No. 377,092, led August 28, 1953.

Insaid prior application means are disclosed for rapidly reproducing a graphical record of variable data in a modified form incorporating desired corrections to the data. The apparatus shown and described therein comprises photo-electric means for repeatedly scanning a graph of unmodified data at closely spaced locations therealong tol obtain measures of the effective ordinates of the points at said locations, together with means for automatically deriving from a calibration curve modified data values respectively corresponding thereto, and a photographic plotter for plotting the modified data.

The present application discloses additional means for printing a rectangular co-ordinate grid to serve as a reference in establishing the co-ordinates of points on a graph produced by said plotter. The printing of this grid is caused to proceed in synchronism with the plotting of the graph and the positions of the lines comprised thereby are derived directly from the sources which determine the co-ordinates of points on the graph. Thus, the positions of the lines of constant abscissa value in the grid are derived from the positions of uniformly spaced marker lines recorded along the axis of abscissae (the time axis) of the input or unmodified data graph at the time the data are recorded, while the positions of the lines of constant ordinate value are based on the positions of similar lines of constant value (lines of constant corrected data value) displayed in conjunction with the calibration curve. This direct derivation of the positions of the grid lines from the sources determining the coordinates of the plotted data, makes the relationship of the grid to the plotted output graph independent of such otherwise distorting factors as slippage and change of speed of the film and paper drives and more particularly of shrinkage and other distortion of the sensitized films and paper on which the data and corrections thereto are displayed, such distortions occurring especially in the process of photographically developing these records.

It is, accordingly, an object of the invention to provide, in connection with means for plotting a graph, other means for printing a co-ordinate grid to serve as a reference for said graph, said grid comprising lines of constant :zo-ordinate value Whose positions are derived directly from the sources determining the co-ordinates of the points on said graph.

It is another object to provide means for transferring a selected reference, or a derivative thereof, from an original graphical record to a reproduction of said record, in substantially unchanged relationship to the record.

It is a further object to provide a method of and means for recording a composite reference marking for a graphical record, operable during the plotting of said record.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent upon consideration of the following specification taken in conjunction with the appended drawings in which:

Patented Oct. 2, l

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Fig. l is a combined perspective drawing and circuit diagram illustrating one embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is any enlarged view of a film bearing multichannel data graphs together with timing lines therefor;

Fig. 3 is a graph showing the time relationship of a pair of spaced electrical impulses appearing in the system;

Fig. 4 is a front elevation of a light mask appearing in Fig. l, showing the projection of a calibration curve and reference lines thereon;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged view of a portion of a plotted graph of corrected data, together with a co-ordinate grid therefor;

Fig. 6 is a circuit diagram for a flash lamp;

Fig. 7 is an end elevation of a detail of the recording apparatus of the invention; and

Fig. 8 shows a portion of a lm bearing a calibration graph, together with lines of constant co-ordiiiate value.

The .figures in the present application correspond, respectively, to similarly numbered figures in application Serial No. 377,092, with additions showing the means of the present invention. Like reference numerals in the two applications refer to like parts and primed numerals in the present application refer to slightly modified parts.

Referring, now, to Fig. 1 input data film 51', corresponding to film 5l of the prior application, bears along one edge thereof a series of spaced parallel opaque marker lines 201 which are recorded at the time of recording the data. The axis along which these lines lie and along which lrri 5l. is displaced at a constant rate by motor 42 is-a time axis and the lines serve as time references for the recorded data. Lines 2t1 are scanned, during traverse of lm 5l', by lamp 2%, an optical system illustrated as lens 295, mask 267 and photo-tube 299. Lamp 23 may be shielded by shield 2li to prevent light therefrom interfering with the scanning of adjacent data channel traces by iiying spot 69. Mask 2tl7 comprises a narrow transparent trace or slit 213 which accommodates the image of one of lines 201, only, as formed thereat by lens 205, and is closely adjacent photo-tube 209, the mask being displaced from its true location in the drawing for clarity of illustration. Due, therefore, to the modulation of the light reaching said tube as a result of the scanning of lines 201, a sequence of impulses (considered negative impulses herein) is developed in the output of the tube corresponding, respectively, to the passage of lines 201 through scanning position. By adjustment of the positions of the described scanning members, the scanning position dened by the registration of the image of a marker 201 line with slit 213 can be caused to coincide with the longitudinal position along film 5l of the line of scan of iiying spot 69.

The output of photo-tube 239 is passed by way of amplifier ZiS to scaling circuit 2i?. Scaling circuits are known which produce one output impulse responsive to a selected integral number of input impulses, so-called scale-of-two and 'scale-of-ten circuits being examples thereof. Circuit 2li" on its output side is connected to the on lead of gate control 219 (similar to gate control llti) in control of gate 221 (similar to gate N33). A control magnet 22.3, in addition t-o magnets 127, 129, is adjusably mounted on support 126 along arcuate slot 225 therein, for the development of an impulse upon the passage of permanent magnet 11.25 thereby. This impulse passes to flashing electrode i4() of Hash lamp i3? by way of lead 227, gate ZZi (when open), lead 22S, mixing circuit 229 and step-up transformer 152. Circuit .229 is of a type adapted to supply an output responsive to an input from either of two sources, without interaction between the sources. For example, see Fig. l2 of our co-pending application Serial No. 397,189, filed December 9, 1953.

Generally opaque calibration film 119', corresponding to film 119, bears a number of transparent linear traces, narrower than trace 121, as trace 231 (Fig. 8), which are lines of constant corrected value of the data and which are superimposed on calibration curve 121 and co-extensive therewith in the direction of the axis of uncorrected values thereof. Spaced from the curve and co-extensive therewith in the direction of the axis of corrected values is a transparent area of the film constituting a slit 235 the width of whose image projected by lens 155 on mask 141 is somewhat greater than that of slit 143 in mask 141. Magnet 223 is so positioned that the impulse developed upon passage of permanent magnet 125 thereby, occurs when slit 143 lies within the lateral limits of this image of 4slit 235. The hashing of lamp 137 at such time causes the illuminated image of slit 235 to serve as a light source for printing a line, defined by slit 143, on paper 147, for example, line 241 (Fig. 5).

ln operation, as film 51 is displaced by drive 31 at a substantially constant rate, lines 201 are scanned longitudinally `of the hlm at the same time that the recorded data and reference traces, as traces 55, S3, are repeatedly scanned laterally thereof by hying spot o9 with continuous displacement of the line of scan longitudinally of the film, at a constant rate. The scanning rate of the former scan is much lower than that of the latter scan. The rate of occurrence of impulses in the output of photo-tube 209 resulting from the scanning of lines 2111 is reduced, by a selected factor, in the output of scaling circuit 217.

An impulse appearing in the output of circuit 217 responsive to a sequence of impulses applied to the input thereof, passes to the on lead of gate control 219 causing the opening of gate 221. Upon passage of permanent magnet 125 past control magnet 223, the impulse thereby developed passes through gate 221 to the off lead of gate control 219 and closes the gate. The impulse in the output of gate 221 also passes through mixing circuit 229, and after being intensified by step-up transformer 152, is applied to hashing electrode lldl of lamp 137. The resulting substantially instantaneous hash prints a line, defined by slit 143, on recording paper 15117, to supply a timing line, or line of constant abscissa value, on the output record, as line 241 (Fig. 5). The transference of this line from the input record along with the transfer of the abscissa values of the plotted points of Output graph 161 insures that the relationship along the time axis of reference lines and plotted points is independcnt of distortions of film or recording paper and of slippage and changes of speed in the various drives and, since lines 2111 were lrecorded along with the original recording of the data, their counterparts on the out-put record are true time references for the interpretation of the corrected data.

As described in application Serial No. 377,092, the ordinates of the points of output graph 161 are determined by the positions of successive intersections of the projected image 121 of calibration graph 121 and slit 1li-3 in mask 141, measured along the axis of corrected values of the graph upon the completion of displacements along the axis of uncorrected values thereof respectively proprtional to the input data.

.ln the operation of the means of the present invention, as each ordinate is thus determined and a point on the output graph printed, other points, defined by the intersections of the projections on mask 141 of all of transparent linear traces 231 with slit 143, are simultaneously printed. Since traces 231 are lines of constant corrected data value displayed in conjunction with and in fixed relationship to calibration graph 121, the repeated printing of these last-named points of intersection simultaneously with the successive printing of the data points, results in narrow, relatively faint lines of constant ordinate value constituted by the repeatedly printed points, being recorded along with graph 161, as line 241 (Fig. 5). The positions of these lines are directly derived from the source with respect to which the ordinate values of points 4on the output graph are determined and hence have a relationship to said points unaffected by distortions of paper or film or by driving speed changes.

In summary, input film 51 and calibration film 119', displaying graphical records yof variable data, are each provided with reference markings for establishing coordinate values along one axis thereof. ln the case of the former record this axis is a time axis, in the latter, the axis of corrected values of the data. Along their other axes, the input record graph, as uncorrected data graph 53, and the calibration curve 121 have like co-ordinate values, as to corresponding points thereon, each axis being an axis of uncorrected values of the data. The output record, graph 161, shows the relationship of corrected values of the data and time. The co-ordinates of the points thereon are determined by the positions along the axis of corrected values and of time, respectively, of corresponding points (points of like uncorrected data value) on the input record and calibration curve. The output record, in addition, comprises a grid of constant co-ordinate lines whose positions, along each axis, relative to the points on the output graphs, are determined by the positions of the marker lines along the corresponding axes of the input records and calibration curve, respectively.

While means have been described thereby the rectangular co-ordinates along one axis of points on an automatically plotted graph and the positions of reference markings therefor are derived from one source and coordinates of said points along the other axis together with the positions of reference markings therefor are derived from another source, the invention also contemplates the printing of a reference grid having elements whose positions are respectively derived from those of like elements of a grid displayed in conjunction with a single data source.

The embodiment of the invention shown herein is by way of illustration only, the limits of the invention being defined solely in the appended claims.

We claim:

l. In plotting apparatus, means displaying first and second graphical records of variable data each having reference markings spaced along one axis thereof, mutually corresponding points on said two records having like co-ordinate values along the other axes thereof, a plotter adapted simultaneously to plot a third graph and print a reference grid therefor comprising a series of lines of constant co-ordinate value along each axis thereof, means determining the co-ordinates of a plotted point on said third graph in accordance with the respective positions along said axes having reference markings therealong of a pair of corresponding points on said two records, and means likewise determining the positions of the lines of the two series thereof constituting said grid in accordance with the positions of said reference markings along said last named axes, respectively.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim l wherein said plotter includes projective photographic printing means actuated by a hash lamp together with a sensitized base and a member bearing a slit continuously displaceable relative to said lamp, illumination of said slit by said lamp printing a line of said grid, and said means determining the positions of the grid lines includes means for scanning said reference markings along the axis thereof and controlling the hashing of said lamp in accordance with the positions thereof along said axis.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim l wherein said plotter includes projective photographic printing means actuated by a hash lamp for plotting said third graph and printing said grid lines, said printing means including means whereby said lines along one axis are sequentially printed in their entirety by single flashes of said lamp and said ines along the other axis are simultaneously printed point-by-point by repeat hashes of said lamp in synchronism with the printing of the points on said third graph.

4. ln plotting apparatus means for transferring a time reference from a graphical record of unmodified data to a similar record of modied data in undisturbed relationship to corresponding points on said two records comprising means displaying a graphical record of unmodified data having a data axis and a time axis and including reference markings spaced along the latter axis, means `for continuously scanning across said markings at a constant rate to produce a sequence of uniformly spaced electrical impulses respectively corresponding thereto, means for repeatedly scanning across said record of unmodified data values transversely of said time axis with progressive displacement of successive positions of the line of scan at a constant rate along said time axis to produce a sequence of electrical signals respectively proportie-nal to successive values of the data along said record, said data signals :thereby having an established time relationship to said reference marking impulses, means for individually modifying the values of said signals in pre-established manner without disturbing said relationship, a plotter for producing a graphical record of said modified data having a second data axis and a second time axis together with reference markings along said latter axis, said plotter including a base for displaying said record and means for displacing said base at a constant rate along said second time axis together with means for substantially instantaneously recording indicia on said moving base, and means for controlling said last means to cause the plotting of a data point on said record positioned along said second time axis in accordance with tie occurrence of one of said modified signals and for controlling the printing of a reference marking positioned along said second time axis in accordance with the occurrence of one of said reference marking impulses.

5. Apparatus yas claimed in claim 4 wherein said displaceanle hase is photo-sensitive and said means for recording indicia thereon includes a ash lamp controlled in accordance with said data signals and reference marking impulses, respectively.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein the data signals developed by scanning said unmodified data record are pulse position signals proportional to the spacing of a point on the record and an established reference therefor along the line of scan.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,094,983 Harding Oct. 5, 1937 2,440,264 Grieg Apr, 27, 1948 2,442,098 Shewell et al May 25, 1948 2,510,200 Thompson June 6, 1950 2,666,807 Hunt Ian. 19, 1954 

